Vapor electric apparatus.



L. E. FROST. VAPOR ELECTRIC APPARATUS.

APPLICATION FILED FIIBAIJ, 1914 1,1 1 9,4520. Patented Dec. 1, 1914.

I VENTUR fiw y c ww IZ- Q/L ATTORNEY LESLIE E. FROST, OF PITTSBURGH,

VAPOR ELECTRIC APPARATUS.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, Lnsmn E. Fnos'r, a citizen of the United States, anda resident of Pittsburgh, in the county of Allegheny and State of Pennslvania, have invented a new and useful mprovement in Vapor ElectricApparatus, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to vapor electric apparatus, and it has particularreference to metal-case rectifiers of large capacity.

The object of my invention is to provide apparatus of the classdescribed with means for avoiding short circuiting within the apparatusand consequent interruptions in its operation.

The single figure of the accompanying drawing is a diagrammatic viewshowing a portion of a metal-case rectifier equipped with my device.

The drawing shows a rectifier having a casing 1, an anode 2, anauxiliary keep-alive anode 3 and a vaporizable cathode 4, which may beof mercury. A circular ring or partition 5, of quartz or otherinsulating material, supports two baffle plates or shields 6 and 7 whichmay be of either conducting or non-conducting material, the plate 6having a central opening and the plate 7 being disposed above thisopening. An indirect path for the arc is thereby established between theanode 2 and the cathode 4.

The structure thus far described is well known in this art. Rectifiersso constructed are, however, subject to the danger of short circuitingby reason ofthe accumulation of static charges upon the baffle plates orshields, which accumulation proceeds until the potential is sufficientto cause a discharge. 'If the walls of the metal tank receive thisdischarge, it will break down the negative resistance of the tank atthat point, and the main arc will wander from the mercury cathode to thetank, thus causing an interruption in the operation of the rectifier. Inorder to avoid such interruptions. I provide means for discharging thestatic .charges which accumulate on the baflie plates or shields. and,in the embodiment of-my invention discharging means comprises a thinmetal rod 8 secured to the under side of the bafiie plate 7 andextending nearly to the surface of the mercury cathode 4. This rodtermi- Specification of Letters Patent.

Appllcatlonflled February 19, 1914. Serial No. 819,780.

which plate and extending shown in the drawing, such Patented Dec. 1.,with nates in a point, and a spark gap is thus established, across whichthe static charges accumulating on the baffle plates will always bedischarged. Two or more of the rods 8 may be provided if necessary. Thismay be especially advantageous if the bafile plates are formed ofnon'conducting material.

It is to be understood that my invention is not restricted to thestructural details which I have shown and described, since it isapplicable to any vapor-electric device in baffle plates or shields areinterposed in the path of the are.

I claim as my invention:

1. A vapor electric device comprising a. casing, a plurality ofelectrodes within the casing, a shield interposed between theelectrodes, and a spark gap electrode connected to the said shield. v

2. A vapor electric device comprising a casing, a plurality ofelectrodes within the casing, an insulated shield between the electrodesand a discharging terminal connected to the shield to form a spark gapbetween it and one of the said electrodes.

3. A vapor electric device comprising a casing, an anode and avaporizable cathode within the casing, an insulated baiile plate betweenthe anode and the cathode and a discharging terminal secured to thebaffle to a point near the said vaporizable cathode.

4. A vapor electric device comprising a casing, an anode and avanorizable cathode within the casing, shielding means interposedbetween the anode and the cathode and a pluralitv of dischargingterminals secured to the shielding means and extending to a point nearthe said vaporizable cathode.

5. A vapor electric device comprising a casing, a plurality ofelectrodes within the casing. a shield of conducting material interposedbetween the electrodes. and a discharging terminal connected to the saidshield.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto subscribed my name this 13th dayof Feb, 1914.

B. B. Hines.

PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR TO WESTINGHOUSE

